(CNS)The Paramount Boulevard bridge over the Pomona (60) Freeway will reopen Monday, five months after a tanker truck fire beneath the overpass forced its closure and eventual demolition.

A host of dignitaries are expected to attend a media event Friday morning to announce that the reconstruction of the bridge was completed weeks ahead of schedule. Construction on the new bridge began in March, and was originally not expected to be finished until mid-June.

“I am excited and pleased to see this project completed because this overpass not only spans the 60 freeway, it’s a bridge that unites this community,” said Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello.

Caltrans crews will be making finishing touches to the bridge Friday and through the weekend to prepare it for Monday’s opening.

The Paramount Boulevard bridge was shut down following the Dec. 14 fire, which forced a lengthy closure of the 60 between the Long Beach (710) and San Gabriel River (605) freeways while crews assessed the integrity of the structure.

The bridge was demolished once it was determined the fire had caused too much damage. The demolition work was completed in late February.

The $40 million cost to rebuild the bridge will be reimbursed by the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, according to Caltrans.

The new bridge will be 128 feet wide — 32 feet wider than the old one. It will include an additional northbound lane, an eight-foot shoulder, a 14-foot center median and six-foot sidewalks, according to Caltrans.